Athletic equipment storage device

Abstract

An equipment rack for the storage, drying, and display of sports equipment, such as football equipment uniforms. The equipment rack includes a frame having a ground-contacting base portion and an upper equipment support portion for supporting a helmet, and shoulder pads. In addition, the frame includes a laundry bag support portion that is shaped and sized to receive and retain a laundry bag in a hanging relation proximate the frame. The laundry bag can be used to contain washable items related to an individual's sports uniform, including a jersey, pants, socks, gloves, and undergarments.

1 . A sports equipment rack comprising: 
 a frame having: 
 a ground contacting portion;  
 an upper equipment support portion;  
 a laundry bag support portion for supporting a laundry bag; and  
   a laundry bag that is removably secured to the laundry bag support portion.    
   
   
       2 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 1  wherein the laundry bag support portion comprises a rectangular, generally horizontally disposed bracket.  
   
   
       3 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 1  wherein the frame is comprised of PVC components.  
   
   
       4 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 1  wherein the ground contacting portion comprises a plurality of leg members that extend horizontally outward from a T-fitting.  
   
   
       5 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 1  wherein the upper equipment support portion comprises a central post and a pair of horizontal support arms for supporting a set of shoulder pads.  
   
   
       6 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 5  wherein the upper equipment support portion further comprises a helmet support member that extends upwardly from the central post.  
   
   
       7 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 1  wherein the laundry bag further comprises a closure device that can be selectively tightened to removably secure the laundry bag to the laundry bag support portion.  
   
   
       8 . A sports equipment rack comprising: 
 a frame having: 
 a ground contacting portion;  
 an upper equipment support portion; and  
 a laundry bag support portion for supporting a laundry bag, the laundry bag support portion comprising a rectangular, generally horizontally disposed bracket that defines a central opening.  
   
   
   
       9 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 8  further comprising a laundry bag that is removably secured to the laundry bag support portion.  
   
   
       10 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 9  wherein the laundry bag further comprises a closure device that can be reversibly tightened to secure the laundry bag to the laundry bag support portion.  
   
   
       11 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 10  wherein the laundry bag is secured to the laundry bag support portion by: 
 disposing the laundry bag through the central opening;    draping a portion of the laundry bag over the laundry bag support portion; and    tightening the closure device.    
   
   
       12 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 8  wherein the upper equipment support portion comprises a central post and a pair of horizontal support arms for supporting a set of shoulder pads.  
   
   
       13 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 8  wherein the frame is substantially comprised of PVC components.  
   
   
       14 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 8  wherein the ground contacting portion comprises a T-fitting and a plurality of leg members that extend outwardly from the T-fitting.  
   
   
       15 . The sports equipment rack of  claim 12  wherein the upper equipment support portion further comprises a helmet support member that extends from the central post.  
   
   
       16 . A method of storing football equipment in preparation for laundering, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) reversibly securing a laundry bag to a laundry bag support portion of an equipment rack frame, the equipment rack frame having: 
 a ground contacting portion;  
 an upper equipment support portion;  
 a laundry bag support portion comprising a generally rectangular bracket defining a central opening;  
   b) supporting a set of shoulder pads upon a set of support arms of the upper equipment support portion; and    c) disposing washable items within the laundry bag.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of supporting a helmet upon a helmet support member of the equipment rack support frame.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of removing the laundry bag from the equipment support frame, tightening a closure device on the laundry bag, and washing the laundry bag.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of removing washable items from the laundry bag and washing the washable items.